Why decorate the poolside with handmade terracotta tiles?
First of all, terracotta tiles are simply perfect for adding an extra touch of elegance while simultaneously enhancing the design of the surroundings. Additionally, it is a material with a number of structural characteristics that make poolside flooring slip-resistant, durable, and functional.
Slip-resistant pool flooring: why use terracotta?
Terracotta is an excellent way to cover the poolside, both from an aesthetic and functional standpoint. In fact, it is slip-resistant, durable, and ideal for transforming walkways and relaxation areas into an elegant setting, even for older pools, which can take on a fresh new look. Choosing handmade terracotta is also the perfect opportunity to give the poolside a color different from the standard options, providing the optimal aesthetic solution for a decorative surface that is both safe and long-lasting, far superior to areas treated with cement or traditional tiles.
What are the characteristics of a terracotta poolside?
If an inground pool is made of concrete, it will need a good covering, both for aesthetic and functional reasons, as well as for safety. In addition to being necessary, covering with handmade terracotta offers the opportunity for a decorative accent that can significantly improve the appearance of the pool itself. Moreover, if the installation is done correctly, the water that overflows from the pool can effectively drain into the outlets. Another considerable advantage of a poolside finished with terracotta tiles is the ability to optimize the design by choosing from various sizes: rectangular, square, as well as corner or curved sections.
Terracotta tiles generally have a porous finish that, in addition to serving as decoration, also hides the concrete used for the pool installation, while providing a non-slip surface that allows walking without slipping, even in the presence of water. Opting for a pool with a rustic design – typical of handmade terracotta tiles – means fully enjoying the setting in complete relaxation, evoking a tropical paradise with crystal-clear waters. A well-thought-out pool design can also make it an ideal gathering place for meetings with friends and family.
Poolside flooring: how to choose terracotta tiles.
Choosing tiles for the pool is not as simple as it seems. Even the best contractors may not be able to meet the preferred style, color, and design. Fornace Bernasconi is able to produce custom handmade terracotta elements for the poolside, satisfying both the aesthetic and functional needs of the client. Moreover, they will guide you in the right direction with various choices to ensure the best aesthetic and functional result.
How to select terracotta tiles for the poolside and what are the key considerations in the choice?
Among the variables to consider when choosing handmade terracotta for the poolside, the most important ones are:
- Shape
- Finish
- Color
The shape of the terracotta tiles is certainly an aesthetic variable (they can be square or rectangular) but also functional. For the poolside, it is preferable to use tiles with a thickness of 4 cm or 5 cm, with a bullnose or straight edge finish. This is because it is a closure element often subjected to stress, and having a more solid brick is beneficial. It is often the part where people hold onto while inside the pool, so a bullnose finish is more pleasant and aesthetically more refined.
Regarding the finish, as mentioned, natural terracotta is slip-resistant. For covering the poolside, Fornace Bernasconi recommends the ARS VETUS (antiqued) finish for the same reason as above. Since it is the closure element of the adjacent flooring, where people often hold on with their hands while inside the pool or walk barefoot, having a surface that is less rough and more velvety to the touch is preferable.
For the color, handmade natural terracotta can range from yellow to pink or red. Again, this is an aesthetic choice, although our recommendation is to favor lighter colors. This is because, in summer, with the sun’s heat, the floor tends to warm up. Lighter terracotta floors heat up less compared to darker colors, making it more pleasant to walk on barefoot.
As for the remaining outdoor terracotta flooring, the adjacent flooring will follow the handmade terracotta used for the poolside, with shape (in this case, the thickness does not need to be 4 cm), color, and size chosen to blend with the poolside itself.
Building a pool and then finishing it with terracotta is an investment, but the advantage is that it will be a long-term one, and most importantly, the decoration style will always remain current.
